Cummins takes over at Meritor
Cummins has expanded its product profile in preparation for net zero trucks with the completion of its $3.7 billion purchase of axle and brake specialist Meritor. Cummins says the move will secure it a position as: “a leading provider of integrated powertrain solutions across internal combustion and electric power applications.”
Cummins’ interest in Meritor was no doubt piqued by that company’s work in developing e-axles.
Meritor (formerly Rockwell’s axle business) has a significant presence in the UK, having taken over the old Lucas Girling truck brake factory in Cwmbran, South Wales. The company won a significant contract to supply Scania with disc brake systems in 2014, and more recently was awarded a large slice of a £54 million UK government grant to develop an electric power integration system combining motor, inverter, gearbox, differential and brakes in a single lightweight unit for fitment to trucks, coaches and off-highway vehicles.
This is thought to be one of the factors that made the company so attractive to Cummins, together with its contract to supply the existing 14Xe Class 8 driveline to Paccar for Kenworth T680E, and Peterbilt 579EV tractors and 520EV refuse trucks, and acquisition of the electrical commercial vehicle propulsion business of Siemens.
The takeover follows Cummins’ acquisition of Jacobs Vehicle Systems earlier this year.
